Citrus Pruning in the Mediterranean Climate: A Review
Pedro Matias,
Isabel Barrote,
Gonçalo Azinheira,
Alberto Continella,
Amílcar Duarte
Affiliations
Pedro Matias
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Isabel Barrote
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Gonçalo Azinheira
Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Campus da Penha, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Alberto Continella
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 100, 95131 Catania, Italy
Amílcar Duarte
MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development and CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Campus de Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Pruning is a common practice in citrus for various reasons. These include controlling and shaping the canopy; improving phytosanitary health, productivity, and fruit quality; and facilitating operations such as harvesting and phytosanitary treatments. Because pruning is an expensive operation, its need is sometimes questioned. However, it has been proven to be particularly important in Mediterranean citriculture, which is oriented towards producing fruits for a high-quality demanding fresh market. Herein, we summarize and explain the pruning techniques used in Mediterranean citriculture and refer to the main purposes of each pruning type, considering citrus morphology and physiology.
